Berhampur: The development authority has planned to inaugurate both the modern bus terminus at Haldiapadar and prepaid auto service at the same time in the city.

"We have linked the introduction of the prepaid auto service to the inauguration of the modern bus terminus at Haldiapadar," said Berhampur Development Authority secretary Dipti Mahapatra. The terminus work is progressing well, and we are hopeful to start the service within a couple of months, she said.

The authority had been proposing to introduce the prepaid auto service in the city since 2011. But, it has become a non-starter since past seven years.

However, city bus service has been introduced since 2014 connecting Berhampur with Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjili. "The city buses only cater to the passengers heading for Gopalpur, Chatrapur or Hinjili and other long-route places. But when one visits Bada Bazar, Sana Bazar or other places in the city, he or she cannot depend on the buses. There is no town bus service in Berhampur," said former Union minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu, who is also the former chairman of Berhampur Municipality.

During his tenure, Sahu had introduced four town buses in the city. But, the service was withdrawn a few years later after incurring huge losses. Introduction of small town buses in Berhampur can also be economically viable now, he said.

The authority had conducted a survey and identified eight routes for plying of auto-rickshaws during 2011. According to the proposal, the development body was to provide parking slots for the auto-rickshaws at New Bus Stand, Old Bus Stand and other places. Auto-rickshaw owners were supposed to register themselves and get licence to use these parking slots. But, nothing concrete has come up as yet.

As of now, the three-wheelers, as part of the regulated auto service plan, would have a distinct look. They will run every day during a particular period with a minimum and maximum fare chart, said authority sources.

There are above six hundred auto-rickshaws plying in the city, but the service is not organised.

Local residents have also rued the lack of a town bus service. "When I return late at night, it is very difficult to get one auto-rickshaw from the railway station to my house at Bada Bazar," said G. Gopal Rao of Bada Bazar.